Character Building Questions
I’ve noticed there aren’t a lot of questions geared towards the adult fiction crowd, so even if these can overlap for other genres and demographics I wanted to change that.
What is his/her profession? Was that role part of your character’s goal?
What does he/she drive? Or, what means of transportation does your character utilize if cars or buses don’t exist in your setting?
Is your character’s current life anything like he/she expected it to turn out?
Which parent, guardian, family member, or mentor does your character take after most, and is that significant? How?
What from your character’s past has influenced how he or she currently interacts with the world?
What kind of childhood did your character have?
How were your character’s teenage years? Did they grow up fast or slow?
How old is your character, and can he or she pinpoint a favorite age? (For example, some people loved their college years, others love when their children are still young, etc.).
Describe past relationships your character has had, and what that character has learned from them.
What would your character look for in an ideal partner, and does that match the type of person he or she goes for in reality? Why or why not?
Describe your character’s sense of style.
What does your character’s way of speaking tell you about them? How is it received by other characters?
What’s one secret your character never wants to share (whether or not said secret does get shared)?
What types of insecurities does he or she have? Where do those stem from?
List some of your character’s strengths, and don’t be afraid to dig deep. Does your character see those as strengths, and how are they perceived by other characters?
How is your character socially? What about professionally?
Describe your character’s social circle. Is he or she comfortable branching out of that? Which parts of themselves are reflected in that circle?
What would your character enjoy despite not expecting to?
How does your character define--or even merely think of--success? Has that character achieved success, even in part?
How will your character know when he or she has made it....or will that character ever know?
What would pop into your character’s mind if he or she were to think of the word, “bliss?”
What is your character’s most shallow or superficial desire?
How does your character handle rejection? What about disappointment?
Who gets under your character’s skin? Why?
If your character could describe his/her perfect future to you, what would that look like?
What’s one thing you know about your character that he/she doesn’t yet?
Let me know if you have any questions, and happy writing!
